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Where, although separate from it, the languages and mathematics are a part of 

 the course of instruction. 3d. Where the sciences only are taught. In all these 

 practical instruction on the experimental farm and in the propagat'ng garden 

 and workshops is given. A fourth kind is where this practical instruction is 

 not given, but theory alone is taught, and this by lectures only, to the exclusion 

 of text-books. 



It is my object, in this division, to set forth the character of eacTi of these 

 classes, as seen in European schools, and in the plans advocated here. 



1. The university plan. The recent excellent and most timely publication 

 of Mr. Flint, of the Massachusetts State Board of Agriculture, makes us better 

 acquainted with European agricultural schools than we have been heretofore. 

 "These," he says, "are of two kinds: those which are connected directly or 

 indirectly with universities, and those which are independent of other institu- 

 tions." Prominent among the first kind is the Agricultural Institute at Jena, 

 in Saxe-Weimer. It is a part of the university at Jena ; but whilst it has a 

 course of instruction of its own, the special purpose of which is to prepare the 

 student for agricultural pursuits, he may avail himself of all the advantages 

 which a more thorough instruction in the principles of any science in the uni- 

 versity course can give him. The influence of this arrangement, both on the 

 course of studies of the institute and on the emulation of the student of agricul- 

 ture, is thus referred to by Mr. Flint: "In consequence of the use of these 

 means of instruction, the institute stands in an independent relation with the 

 university, which secures it great advantages ; yet far more important is the 

 more intimate connexion with it; that is, the necessity that its instruction of the 

 same principles should be more general and comprehensive, and fundamentally 

 scientific, like that of the university." And this necessity is made practically 

 greater by infusing a loftier ambition among the students of the institute to 

 emulate the thorough instruction imparted in the university. 



As so little has yet been laid before the American farmer of the studies in 

 these schools, it may be useful to give here the character of the instruction at 

 this institute. Mr. Flint says: "The sciences useful to the farmer which the 

 institute teaches are as follows : 



1. " Sciences relating to the branches of agriculture. Sciences bearing on the 

 cultivation of agricultural plants, in its whole range, as climate, soils, cultivation, 

 tillage, manuring, seed, after-culture, harvesting, culture of grains, mercantile 

 and fodder plants, fruits, &c. The breeding of animals, in its whole range, the 

 principles of breeding, nourishment and care, raising, keeping and use of partic 

 ular sorts and races of domestic animals; farm management, with all its branches, 

 book-keeping, valuation, &c.; agricultural excursions, demonstrations, and con- 

 versations. 



2. "Fundamental and auxiliary sciences of agriculture. National economy, 

 agricultural history and statistics, agricultural law, physics, meteorology, general 

 chemistry, agricultural chemistry, practice in the laboratory, qualitative analysis, 

 quantitative demonstration of agricultural materials, grains, oil fruits, guano, 

 other kinds of manures, soils, plant ashes, mineralogy and geognosy, including 

 knowledge and classification of soils. Botany, with special reference to the 

 physiology of plants ; including botanical excursions, instructions in forestry, 

 care and use of woodland. Gardening. Zoology, with special reference to 

 knowledge of insects, veterinary science, anatomy and physiology of domestic 

 animals on the farm; pathology and therapeutics, chirurgery, shoeing, &c. 

 Mechanics and machinery, agricultural machinery and implements, their con- 

 struction and use. Agricultural technology, including technological excur- 

 sions, bread-making, manufacture of vinegar, distilling, brewing, sugar-making. 

 Geodosy, use of the surveyor's chain and theodolite, field measuring, levelling, 

 agricultural mechanics." 



